RESPECT research featured at House of Lords event
Published: 14 May 2026
Amy Proctor from the RESPECT project participated in a recent House of Lords event focused on the new Land Use Framework for England. The discussion highlighted how research from projects like RESPECT is helping to inform policy and support sustainable rural futures.
Delegation of researchers from the Centre for Rural Economy (CRE) at Newcastle University. Photo credit: Amy Proctor
On Tuesday 14 April, RESPECT Co-I Amy Proctor was part of a delegation of researchers from the Centre for Rural Economy (CRE) at Newcastle University showcasing their research at the House of Lords. Sponsored by Lord Curry of Kirkharle, the event brought together peers, MPs, and key stakeholders including representatives from the Rural Economy Research Group, Country Land and Business Association, National Farmers' Union, and the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.
Discussions centred on the recent publication of the Government’s Land Use Framework. A panel discussion featured contributions from CRE researchers on their research on socio-economic impacts of land use change, farm tenancies and the role of food production. Amy Proctor considered multifunctionality, which is identified as one of four guiding principles in the Framework and how priorities for this might play out in practice, drawing on RESPECT’s research on peatlands as a lens for exploring this.
Next steps for the Land Use Framework
A key focus of the discussion was on next steps for the Land Use Framework. Key priorities identified for implementation and delivery included the importance of different parts of government working together, including alignment across departments and between central and local government.
The absence of the ‘rural’ in the framework was considered, as was the importance of food production and food security. How the Framework works alongside the Farm Profitability Review and the forthcoming Farming Roadmap were also identified as important factors in its implementation.
The meeting demonstrated how research is helping to inform policy and support sustainable rural futures, providing a valuable opportunity to share evidence-based insights and strengthen connections across the sector.
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First published: 14 May 2026